Robert R. "Bob" McBride (79) of Effingham

Robert R. "Bob" McBride, 79, of Effingham died on Sunday, December 31, 2017 at his home.

A memorial gathering to celebrate Bob's life will be held from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Friday, January 5 at the Lake Sara Community Building, 9282 Park Avenue, Effingham. Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham is assisting the family. Memorials may be made to the Effingham County Humane Society or the Ballard Nature Center.

Online condolences may be shared by clicking here.

Bob was born on March 5, 1938, in Melrose Park, IL, the son of Robert Emmett and Helen R. (Mead) McBride. He married Ruth Helen Milas in 1959, from that union Kari and Kelly were born. In 2000 Bob committed his life to taking care of Sandra Lautrup as an act of love to his dear friend Kenwood, who was terminally ill. Bob moved to Effingham that year, and thus began a new chapter in his already incredible life. Bob viewed life as a daily learning experience, all in order to make himself a better person: companion, friend, father, artist. His creative vision was expressed in gardening, wood craft, garden/outdoor art, architecture. Bob loved spending time with his dear friends on the lake, and anywhere else. He was an avid reader, and developed his creative vision in writing in these last years. He was unique, driven, passionate, thoughtful and kind. Each one he leaves behind will carry a special part of him in the way he treated us, taught us, learned from us and cared for us. The last years of his life were spent doing just that, caring for his companion Sandra in the last years of her life. His passion and love ran deeper than we will ever know. 

Bob is survived by his daughter, Kari L. (Bill) Martin of Mountain Home, AR; grandchildren, Corey Saylor and Emily Saylor both of Mountain Home, AR; great-grandson, Blayne Lucy of Mountain Home, AR; brother, Dennis McBride of Arizona; several nephews and one niece.

He was preceded in death by parents; son, Kelly McBride; and brother, Larry McBride.